AUSTIN, Texas – State lawmakers in the Texas Senate will hear H.B. 2000 - better known as ‘Audrii’s Law’ - named after the Livingston girl murdered by a family friend in 2024.
The legislation, which Rep. Trent Ashby filed, already received unanimous approval from the Texas House of Representatives in March.
On Tuesday, the Texas Senate Committee on Criminal Justice will hold a public hearing on the bill, among others.
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The bill aims to expand the crimes for which a convicted suspect will be required to register as a sex offender. If approved, the law would make sex offender registration requirements for the offense of child grooming.
Audrii Cunningham was 11-years-old when, Don Steven McDougal, brutally murdered the girl.
McDougal was a family friend living in a trailer behind her grandparent’s house near Lake Livingston.
After an exhaustive search, which included local, state and federal law enforcement resources, Audrii’s body was found weighted down in the Trinity River.
WATCH: Finding Audrii: A story of tragic loss and lasting legacy
In January, McDougal agreed to a plea deal to spend the rest of his life in prison, without the opportunity for parole.
McDougal had a previous conviction for a sex crime involving a minor but avoided having to register as a sex offender after taking a plea deal years earlier. Audrii’s grandparents say they may never have allowed him to live in a trailer on their property had they known about his past.
Audrii’s Law aims to change that.
At a public hearing in front of Texas House lawmakers in March, Audrii’s family made an emotional plea with lawmakers.
“My granddaughter was the most loving child I’ve ever met,” Audrii’s grandmother, Tabitha Munsch, said. “Had this bill been in place, had this loophole existed, he would never be near our sweet baby. I’m not asking, I’m begging that we close this loophole.”
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“We know this incident had far far-reaching impact across East Texas, our community, the whole great State of Texas,” added Audrii’s grandfather, Philip Munsch. “It’s a case that touched so many hearts and Audrii was just a charming young lady, lots of potential. Because of a loophole, her life was taken away far too early.”
According to Audrii’s family, they won’t be in Austin for the hearing on Tuesday.
However, Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers of Houston will be speaking in front of lawmakers.
During that same public hearing in March, he delivered powerful words.
“I told them, ‘Audrii Cunningham is going to be a catalyst for change.’ And that brings us here,” Kahan said while recalling on of his first conversations with Audrii’s family. “I’m sick and tired of naming bills after dead kids. This will prevent future Audrii Cunninghams.”
The hearing will begin at 8 a.m.
The committee is expected to vote on the bill today. If passed, it will be sent to the Senate floor for a full vote before being sent to the Governor’s desk for a signature.
